Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried (Desiccated, Grated/Shredded)
Industry PositionProcessed Agricultural Ingredient
Market
Desiccated coconut in Georgia is primarily an import-supplied food ingredient used in bakery, confectionery, and household baking applications. Market access and border clearance are shaped by Georgia’s food safety and border-control regime, including documentary and (where applicable) phytosanitary controls for plant-origin goods. Georgian food business operators are required to implement HACCP-based food safety procedures, which influences importer approval, recordkeeping, and supplier QA expectations. Product specifications and defect tolerances commonly reference Codex CXS 177-1991 for desiccated coconut (grading by particle size, moisture/oil parameters, and foreign-matter expectations).
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer and food-ingredient market (net importer)
Domestic RoleDownstream use as an ingredient for bakery/confectionery manufacturers and retail home-baking consumers
Specification
Physical Attributes- Color: natural white to light creamy white
- Texture: characteristic of the product
- Odour: not mouldy, cheesy, smoky, fermented, or rancid; no undesirable odour
- Foreign matter: absence in 100 g (Codex requirement)
Compositional Metrics- Moisture: ≤ 4% m/m (Codex CXS 177-1991)
- Total acidity of extracted oil: ≤ 0.3% m/m (measured as lauric acid) (Codex CXS 177-1991)
- Ash: ≤ 2.5% m/m (Codex CXS 177-1991)
- Oil content: parameters depend on whether the product is described as non-oil-extracted vs partially oil-extracted in Codex CXS 177-1991
Grades- Extra-fine / Fine / Medium sizing categories (Codex granulometry definitions)
- Other sized / fancy cuts (e.g., flakes, chips, long shreds), where agreed
Packaging- Packaging/transport/storage practices should follow the Codex Recommended International Code of Hygienic Practice for Desiccated Coconut (CAC/RCP 4-1971) referenced by Codex CXS 177-1991
- Non-retail containers should carry (or be accompanied by) product name, lot identification, manufacturer/packer/distributor/importer identity, and storage instructions as described in Codex CXS 177-1991 labelling provisions
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas processor → containerized shipment → Georgia border control/inspection (as applicable) → importer/wholesaler → food manufacturers and/or retail distribution
Temperature- Typically handled as shelf-stable ambient cargo; protect from moisture and heat spikes that can accelerate quality deterioration (model inference — validate against supplier specs).
Shelf Life- Quality is sensitive to moisture ingress and rancidity risk over time; lot identification and documented storage conditions support recall readiness and traceability.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighIf desiccated coconut is treated as a plant-origin product subject to phytosanitary control under Georgia’s border regime, missing or incorrect phytosanitary documentation and/or required import permits can lead to border detention, refusal, return, or destruction of the shipment.Before contracting, confirm the Georgian commodity code and whether phytosanitary control applies via the Revenue Service HS Codes module; if applicable, secure the National Food Agency electronic import permit in advance and ensure the exporter provides the required phytosanitary certificate and aligned shipment documents.
Food Safety MediumForeign-body contamination and hygiene failures (e.g., plastic fragments, mould/odour defects) can trigger recalls, importer claims, and heightened inspection intensity; Codex CXS 177-1991 specifies quality/defect expectations including absence of foreign matter in a 100 g test portion.Require supplier HACCP/hygiene controls, pre-shipment inspection/COA aligned to Codex CXS 177 parameters, and tamper-evident, moisture-protective packaging; implement incoming lot sampling and complaint/recall procedures.
Logistics MediumFreight-rate volatility and route disruption can raise landed costs and extend lead times for containerized dried coconut imports into Georgia, affecting retail pricing and manufacturer input costs.Use multi-origin sourcing options, buffer stock for key bakery seasons, and forward freight planning (including consolidations) for stable landed-cost management.
Sustainability- Origin transparency and traceability to support ethical sourcing claims for coconut supply chains (particularly if sourcing from Thailand due to documented animal-welfare allegations).
Labor & Social- Thai coconut supply-chain controversy: NGO investigations have documented the use of trained macaques in parts of Thailand’s coconut industry; importers may face reputational risk if Thailand-origin coconut products cannot be credibly verified as monkey-labor-free.
FAQ
When could a phytosanitary certificate and an import permit be required to import desiccated coconut into Georgia?If the product is classified in Georgia as a plant-origin good subject to phytosanitary control, the Revenue Service’s phytosanitary procedures indicate a phytosanitary certificate is required and an import permit may be required. The National Food Agency states that permits for plant-origin goods subject to phytosanitary control are issued electronically, so importers typically confirm applicability by commodity code before shipment and secure documents in advance.
Which reference standard can be used to define quality and grading for desiccated coconut shipments into Georgia?Codex CXS 177-1991 (Revision 2011) provides a detailed standard for desiccated coconut, including product definition, optional sizing (extra-fine/fine/medium), chemical and physical characteristics (such as moisture and ash limits), and foreign-matter expectations. Importers and buyers often use these Codex parameters as a baseline for specifications and supplier QA alignment.
What food-safety management approach is expected for Georgian businesses handling imported desiccated coconut?Georgia’s Food Products/Animal Feed Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection Code requires food business operators to introduce food safety procedures in accordance with HACCP principles. In practice, this pushes importers, repackers, and downstream manufacturers to maintain hazard controls and records that support traceability and corrective actions.